Sometimes a driver has such a great experience with a car that he or she just wants to keep driving it. Unfortunately, a variety of issues - ranging from damage in a collision to standard wear and tear - eventually leaves vehicles in a subpar state, unable to drive on the roads. Then motorists have to select their next ride, and that's when the true test of loyalty begins.
One model stands out
The Honda Accord was selected by IHS Automotive as having the highest model loyalty among midsize cars in the 2014 model year. This essentially means that people who have owned or leased the Accord in the past returned to the vehicle when shopping for a new purchase. According to the organization, this is
the second consecutive year the Accord earned this distinction.
"Customer loyalty is one of the key measurements of product excellence and customer satisfaction," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "This recognition from IHS Automotive in the hyper-competitive midsize segment is further proof that Accord continues to check all the boxes for the American car buyer."
Other winners
The Honda Accord wasn't the only winner. IHS Automotive also recognized Ford as the brand with the most loyal customers. This is the fifth straight year the automaker has earned this accolade, with the highest percentage of drivers returning to buy or lease another model from the brand.
In other categories, the Nissan Leaf was named the electric vehicle with the most loyal drivers, while the Chevrolet Silverado took the prize among full-size pickups. The
Jeep Cherokee claimed the No. 1 spot in the midsize SUV segment, according to Automotive News. Other vehicles to win their respective segments include the Kia Soul, Lincoln MKZ, Lexus RX and Toyota Tacoma.
What inspires loyalty?
Many factors influence whether a motorists wants to return to a certain make or model. Past performance and price play a role, as does the customer experience when dealing with retailers. Another important aspect to consider is the cost of
vehicle maintenance. If automobiles are reliable and offer low-cost
car repair when necessary, it makes ownership much easier.
Of course, managing these expenses is stress-free when drivers have a local
auto repair franchise they can trust. Forging relationships with expert technicians allows you to have peace of mind and a quality car.